Then & Now: Triple XXX, 1984

Then & Now: Triple XXX, 1984

Burt Wright opened Triple XXX, 2 N. Salisbury St., West Lafayette, for business just before the stock market crash in 1929 as the first place in Indiana with outside curb service. For the first few months of business Wright, who died in 1948, sold only Triple XXX root beer, then one of the nation's top brands. He added a chopped steak sandwich to the menu after correctly predicting that customers would enjoy a sandwich while sipping their root beer.

During the 1930s, the restaurant was surrounded by high stools positioned outside, where people could sit and order. In the rear of the restaurant were spaces for cars where customers could order and eat right in their autos.

The restaurant changed owners a handful of times over the years. Second owner Norman "Burt" Bender sold the business to Norman Karner in 1961 in an unusual manner, during lunch.
Karner was in the retail business in Lafayette and frequently ate at the Triple XXX.

A 1972 Journal & Courier feature quotes Karner as saying, "I came in one day to order a hamburger and the owner was really mad about something," he said. "He turns to me and says, 'Why don't you take the place out of my hands?' I told him yes, then and there," Karner said.

The Karners remodeled the building in 1962, modernizing the interior and operation of the restaurant.

Some older locals may recall Gerald "Barney" Sibray who made the chopped steak sandwiches at the local eatery for nearly 40 years, starting in 1941.

In 1984, the landmark received yet another makeover in the form of a second floor. Greg Ehresman, who co-owns and operates the eatery today, said at the time that the second-floor addition would be used for storage space, which could also allow for more seating on the restaurant's main floor.

Although Burt Wright wouldn't recognize the restaurant if he were to see it today, a few the things that made Triple XXX popular 85 years ago are still celebrated. Customers from all over the world continue to come in daily for the famous sandwiches and root beer.

Work proceeds on a new 650-square-foot second floor at Triple XXX Restaurant, 2 N. Salisbury St., West Lafayette, 1984 compared to 2014.
2014 photo by Thomas Maxfield/Journal & Courier